Kwentuhang Champorado ng Bayan Over a Cup of Coffee.

Those Ol’College Days are Long Gone

Alexander Pope’s warning that “a little learning is a dangerous thing,” These students who attend college are usually there to learn. Most of them want to be there and have chosen their course of study according to their interests and life goals.

Every parent wants what’s best for their kids but there are parental sacrifice and stretch themselves beyond what they can afford, especially if little or no fund significantly. As the college and universities tuitions are skyrocketing it’s very hard to afford, and the government can only do a little. Much to many parents’ relief, Gloria asked the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and some officials of several schools to reconsider any plans for tuition hikes this year. She was instantly successful.The militant League of Filipino Students (LFS) was quick to note that this recent effort from the President is but a show. Indeed, between being a “show” and being a sincere effort, the first one makes more sense. First, it’s nearly the end of enrolment season. Most students have already paid for their tuition. Classes are about to start. Second, the possibility that many schools’ tuition will increase can happen anytime.Freezing tuition hikes is not enough.

What our State-run schools really need is an increased subsidy and an active lowering of tuition rates. The ongoing crisis should not be the sole reason for this effort from the administration. Rather, it should be because there is a need to curb the rate of college drop-outs in the country, to ensure that quality education remains a right.

The more obvious problem that consistently hampers a real education in our country:Arroyo Government have never had a serious plan on just what constitutes a good education. Jose Rizal had it right when he, in a way said, “Ang Kabataan ay ang Pag-asa ng Bayan”. Which mean everyone must maintained that an Education (with a capital “E”) involved acquaintance with the best that has been thought and said in the world. A society so educated is well equipped to deal with the problems of a rapidly changing world.

Sadly, many of college students are forced to drop out – the majority due to a lack of money. University and colleges cost so much. Very few families have set aside enough money to pay for years of a college education for their children. Besides,do these students are getting their educational money’s worth?

Few years ago, we as parents going to college was an easy choice. We either did or did not demonstrate the willingness and capability required to learn at the university level. This meant that we are prepared to hunker down to study in a serious manner in order to secure the education needed for a pre-chosen profession. If this was not the case, We got off the duff and found some other kind of work for which a degree was not needed and become assembler in Marikina Shoe factory or selling 30 dozen of orange juice to get a janitorial job.

Those who did good in college, devote the majority of their time to there studies with perhaps some time spent on athletics or other school-related activities. Those family that was not very well financially endowed, They work part-time to help out with the bills.Those who were exceptionally gifted at juggling all of there studies, they enjoy some leisure time hoisting a few beers while singing the “Anak” of Freddie Aguilar or spent time into 25 centavo phone booth calling someone for a movie date.

Those days, are long gone , a college degree is now almost a given along Claro M.Recto avenue, a birthright for the nearly two-thirds of all high school graduates who go on to higher education. And while many students still attend college to pursue a specific career, too many view it as an extended version of high school; living carefree lives on their parents’ money, only with a lot less supervision and a lot more fun.

We as parents know very well that when we send our children to college, we must be armed with the necessary tools. And so for tuition, provide for housing, buy all the required textbooks, purchase scads of electronic devices like PCs, IPODs and cell phones. But,what about if the child we send to college will become pregnant in an unwanted pregnancy during their college student years. It will mean that she will have to drop out of school or face an abortion. That is a difficult situation and frustration. Maybe, before we send them to college we will remind them always to cross their legs upon arriving at school and keep them that way until they graduate.